Washing machine



June 7, 1938.. A. H. LABISKY 2,ll9;677

WASHING MACHINE Filed July 13, 1935 Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES WASHING MACHINE Arthur H. Labisky, Barton, Wis assignor-to The Barton Corporation, West Bend, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application July 13, 1935, Serial No. 31,156

4 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines for cleansing clothing and the like.

While the washing action of most washing machines is such that articles of clothing and the like are not damaged thereby, it has been found that light and delicate articles are sometimes torn or damaged, particularly if washed along with heavier articles of clothing, and the primary object of my invention is to wash light and delicate articles of clothing and the like simultaneously with the washing of other articles without damage to the light and delicate articles and the like, and an ancillary object is to enable light and delicate articles of clothing and the like to be washed separately from but simultaneously with and in the same liquid as other articles oi clothing.

Other objects are to provide a compartment in a washing machine tub in communication with the liquid in the tub and in which light and delicate articles maybe washed separately from articles in the tub proper; and to impart an effec-' tive cleansing movement to water admitted into the compartment.

Washing machines usually have an agitator or similar means for imparting movement to the saponified water or other liquid in the tub of the machines to effect cleansing of articles of clothing and the like in the tub, and a further object of my invention is to provide an agitator which will impart an effective cleansing movement to the liquid in a washing machine tub.

Still further objects are 'to utilize the oscillatory or other movement imparted to the agitator I in a washing machine tub to impart the cleansing action to water admitted into a compartment in the tub in which light and delicate articles may be washed separately from articles in the tub proper; to provide a member which may be mounted in a washing machine tub to provide a compartment in the tub separated from the rest of the tub; to so mount the member in the tub that it may be removed therefrom when so desired; to provide means on the agitator in a' washing machine tub to which a member provid- 7 ing aseparate compartment maybe attached and to utilize such means to impart a cleansing movement to liquid in the tub when such a member is and delicate articles may be optionally washed separately from but simultaneously with other articles and which will be of simple and economical construction and efficient and positive operation.

Selected embodiments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a washing machine embodying one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional detail view taken substantially on the line 22 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a member, a portion of which is broken away, which provides a compartment separate from the tub proper of a washing machine when mounted in such a tub;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the agitator shown-in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevational side view, tain parts are broken away, of another form of my invention; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse detail view taken substan-' tially on the line 6-6 on Fig. 5.

In the accompanying drawingI have shown a washing machine tub 1 supported by a suitable fragmentally illustrated frame 8 on which suitable means for imparting an oscillatory or' other movement to the vertical shaft 9 maybe mounted, one end of the shaft 3 being suitably connected to such means which include an electric motor or other source of power. Suitable means of this kind are illustrated and described in my Patent 1,929,747, patented October 10, 1933, but it is to be understood that any suitable means maybe .used without departing from the purview of this invention.

in which cer- The shaft 9 extends through an opening it in the bottom of the tub and through a bore in the standard H which extends upwardly in the tub at the center thereof. it flange I2 on the standard ll rests on agasket Hi. When a nut i l or the like is engaged with the screw-threaded portion l5 of the standard extended through the opening it, the gasket I3 is clamped against the bottom of the tub and preventsleakage through the opening 10'. A bearing I6 is provided on the periphery of the standard II at the upper end thereof and a flange H on the standard extends beyond this bearing at the lower end thereof. A hearing. collar- I8 is provided on the standard about'noidway between the flanges l2 and ll. The shaft 9 has a polygonal portion IS on the upper end thereof which extends above the hearing l6.

In Fig. 1, I have shown an agitator including .a sleeve 21 having a bore 22 at the upper end thereof adapted to embrace the bearing It. The inner opening in the sleeve is enlarged atthe lower end of the bore to provide a shoulder 23 that is adapted to rest on-the upper surface ofthe flange H. The lower end of the sleeve 2| is flared outwardly as indicated at 24 and the inner opening in the sleeve is shouldered, as indicated at 25, to provide a bore 26 adapted to embrace the collar l8. When the shoulder 23 engages the flange H, the lower end of the agitator 23 is supported slightly above the bottom of the tub 1 and the cooperation of the bore 22 with the bearing I6 and the bore 26 with the collar l8 guides the agitator in its movement in the tub to prevent wabbling or other undesired movement thereof.

A thimble 2! is provided at the top of the sleeve 2| and includes a polygonal socket complementary to the polygonal portion H! which is embraced in this socket. Diametrically opposed recesses 28 are provided in the upper end of the sleeve 2| and similarly located cars 29 depend from the lower end of the thimble 21. When the ears 29 are seated in the recesses 27, the agitator 20 is connected to the shaft 9 and in those instances in which an oscillatory movement is imparted to the shaft 9 a similar movement is imparted to the agitator 20. When, however, the ears 29 are retracted from the recesses 21 and are seated on the upper end of the sleeve 2|, the agitator is disconnected from the shaft 9 and the shaft may operate freely without imparting any movement to the .agitator 20. A handle 30 is provided on the thimble 21 to facilitate insertion and retraction of the ears 29. A retaining band 3| is fast to the upper end of the sleeve 2| and has an inturned flange 32 at the upper end thereof which overlies but is spaced above the upper end of the sleeve 2|. An outstanding collar 33 on the thimble 21 is confined between the flange 32 and the upper end of the sleeve 2| and the engagement of this collar either with the flange or the upper end of the sleeve limits movement of the thimble on the polygonal portion l9.

'While the foregoing is a preferred manner of mounting and imparting movement to the agitator provided in the tub I, it is to be understood that the agitator could be mounted in the tub other than in the manner shown and described and likewise movement might be otherwise imparted to the agitator without departing from the purview of my invention.

A plurality of upstanding fins or blades 34 are provided on the agitator 23. In the present instance I have shown four such fins and the inner ends of the flat upper edges of these fins merge into the periphery of the sleeve 2| near the inception of the outward flare thereof, While the vertical outer edges of these fins are spaced slightly inwardly from alignment with the rim of the outwardly flared portion of the agitator. The bottom and inner vertical edges of these fins merge into the outwardly flared portion of the agitator. When an oscillatory movement is imparted to the agitator 20, the fins 34 will move through a liquid in the tub I and so agitate the liquid that a cleansing movement will be imparted thereto.

Ears 35 are provided on the periphery of the sleeve 2| near the upper end thereof and these ears preferably extend outwardly from the sleeve in alignment with the upstanding fins 34. When the ears 35 are immersed in liquid in the tub 1 and are permitted to move through this liquid they impart additional agitation to the liquid and enhance the effectiveness of the cleansing movement imparted to the liquid. However, as will be explained hereinafter, the ears 35 are sometimes enclosed and in these instances the fins 34 are relied upon to impart cleansing movement to the liquid in the tub I.

It is advantageous to wash light and delicate articles of clothing and the like separately from heavier articles to avoid tearing or otherwise damaging the lighter and more delicate articles. This may be accomplished by washing these lighter and more delicate articles in a separate compartment. Such a separate compartment is provided in the embodiment of the invention illustrated by the substantially bowl-shaped member 36 which has an upstanding sleeve 31 at the center thereof. The sleeve 31 is adapted to embrace the periphery of the sleeve 2| and pockets 38 formed in the member open into this sleeve and receive the ears 35, the upper ends of the ears 35 engaging the tops of the pockets 38 to support the member 36 in the tub. Preferably the pockets 38 are of such a width that they neatly embrace the sides of the ears 35 and prevent relative movement between the member 36 and the sleeve 2| of the agitator 2|]. The seating of the ears in the pockets, however, insures movement of the member 36 with the agitator 20. The pockets extend into the compartment provided by the member 36 and constitute ribswhich serve to agitate liquid in the compartment. Preferably the compartment provided by the member 36 is in communication with the rest of the tub and this may be attained by providing openings 39 in the member 36 so that the liquid in the tub may freely flow into the compartment when the member 36 is mounted on the sleeve 2|. By providing the openings 39 in the bottom of the member 36 installation of the member 36 on the sleeve 2| is facilitated for as the member is forced down over the sleeve the liquid in the tub I freely passes through openings 39 in the bottom of the member 36, and this materially reduces the resistance offered to installation of the member 36. Moreover in this manner the compartment is filled with liquid which reduces the buoyancy of the member and prevents it floating on the liquid in the tub. 7

While it is desirable to provide the-member affording the compartment separate from the rest of the tub with liquid agitating means it is not essential that such means be utilized to connect the member to the agitator. In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown a member 40 which provides a compartment separate from the rest of the tub and this member has inwardly bent ribs. 4| formed therein at spaced intervals about the periphery thereof. These ribs constitute liquid agitating means for the compartment provided by the member 40. The member 40 has an upstanding polygonal tapered sleeve 31 at the center there of that is otherwise similar to the sleeve 31 The agitator 20' is similar to the agitator 20 and has an outwardly flared lower end 24' and fins 34' but instead of being provided with ears 35, the

upper end 42 of the sleeve 2| is of polygonaloutline complementary to the polygonal sleeve 31 and this upper end 42 is tapered. Preferably,

as shown in Fig. 6, the taper of the upper end 42 constitutes a continuation of the outwardly flared portion 24'. The lower end of the taper is larger than the upper end. The sleeve 31 is similarly tapered so that when it is fitted over the part 42 the tapers cooperate to limit the distance the sleeve 31' may move down the sleeve 2| and this supports the member 4!] on the sleeve 2|. The member 46 is provided with openings 33 for the same purpose as and located similarly to the openings 39. In other respects the agitator 20 is similar to the agitator 20.

In use, saponified water or other cleansing liquid is introduced into the tub I in an amount sufiicient to fill the tub up to about the top of the cars 35 or about the upper end of the polygonal portion 42 on the agitator 2|. If no light and delicate articles are to be washed, the means for imparting movement to the shaft 9 are set in operation and the ears 29 are seated in the recesses 28 whereupon the agitator, and particularly the fins 35 and the ears 35, induces a cleansing movement in the liquid to effect thorough cleansing of articles of clothing or the like introduced into the liquid in the tub T. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, both the fins 34 and the ears 35 agitate the liquid to impart the cleansing movement thereto, while in the'form of the invention shown in Fig. the fins 34' are relied upon to impart cleansing movement to the liquid.

When light and delicate articles are to be washed simultaneously with other articles of clothing and there is likelihood that the lighter and delicate articles might be torn or damaged if washed with the other articles, these light and delicate articles may bewashed in the compartment separate from the other articles. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. l the member 36 may be mounted on the sleeve 2| of the agitator 20 prior to the time any liquid is introduced into the tub I and as liquid is introduced into the tub I it will flow through the openings 39 and fill the member 36 to the same level as that to which the tub I is filled. When, however, the tub I has been previously filled with liquid the member 36 will be forced down onto the sleeve 2| and the liquid will course through the openings 39. When the member 36 is so installed on the sleeve 21 the ears 35 are embraced in the pockets 31 and in this instance the fins 34 are relied upon to impart cleansing movementpart cleansing movement to the liquid in the member 36 and this movement efiects thorough cleansing of articles of clothing in the compartment provided by the member 3'6 without damage to these articles. Similarly, when the member 40 is installed on the sleeve 2| in either of the ways in which the member 36 is installed on the sleeve 2! and the agitator is set in operation the ribs 4! impart cleansing movement to liquid in the compartment provided by the member 40 to efiect cleansing of articles in this compartment without damage thereto.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred form of my invention it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine, a tub, an agitatorextending into the tub from the bottom thereof and having agitating means thereon at the lower end thereof for imparting cleansing movement to liquid in the tub, said tub being filled well above said agitating means, supporting means on said agitator near the upper end thereof, a member providing a compartment and having portions thereon adapted to embrace said supporting means to connect said member to said agitator, said member being spaced from and independent of the agitating means and having openings therein through which liquid in the tub may pass into the compartment whereby certain articles of clothing or the like may be washed in the liquid in the compartment out of contact with other articles of clothing or the like being washed in the liquid in the tub, and means on said member for imparting cleansing movement to the liquid in the compartment.

2. In a washing machine, a tub, an agitator extending into the tub from the bottom'thereof and having agitating means thereon at the lower end thereof for imparting cleansing movement to liquid in the tub, said tub being filled well above said agitating means, supporting means on said agitator near the upper end thereof, a member providing a compartment and having formed portions thereon extending into said compartment, said formed portions providing pockets adapted to embrace said supporting means to detachably connect said member to said agitator,

said member being spaced from and independent of the agitating means and having openings therein through which liquid in the tub may pass into the compartment whereby certain articles of clothing or the like may be washed in the liquid in the compartment out of contact with other articles of clothing or the like being washed in the liquid in the tub, the formed portions projecting into said compartment providing cleansing movement to the liquid in the compartment to facilitate washing of articles of clothing in the compartment.

3. In a washing machine, a tub, an agitator in said tub, agitating means on said agitator at the lower end thereof, supporting means on said agitator near the upper end thereof, a member providing a compartment in said tub, and means on said member adapted to embrace said supporting means on said agitator to detachably connect said member to said agitator and support said member on the agitator in spaced relation with the agitating means, said agitating means adapted to impart a cleansing movement to a liquid in the tub and said embracing means adapted to impart a cleansing movement to a liquid in said member whereby articles of clothing or the like in said member are cleansed separately from articles of clothing or the like in said tub.

4. In a washing machine, a tub, an agitator in said tub, agitating means on said agitator at the lower end thereof, supporting means on said agitator near the upper end thereof, a member providing a compartment in said tub, said member having pockets therein adapted to receive said supporting means on said agitator to detachably connect said member to said agitator and support said member on the agitator in spaced relation with said agitating means, and means associated with said pockets and extending inwardly of said member to provide agitating means in said member, said agitating means at the lower end of the agitator adapted to impart a cleansing movement to a liquid in the tub and said agitating means in the member adapted to impart a cleansing movement to a liquid in said member .whereby articles of clothing or the like in said member are cleansed separately from articles or the like in said tub.

ARTHUR H. LABISKY. 

